Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DI~PENSING PACKAGE
Milton D. Spahni, Jr.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a dispensing package and, more
particularly, to a stackable carton which is supplied in flattened
tubular form equipped with a plastic fitment mounted on the outer major
5 flap of the top closure flaps and which can be formed, filled and
sealed on high speed packaging equipment to produce a dispensing
package which is attractive, siftproof, easy opening and reclosable for
use in dispensing granules, crystals and powders.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dispensing cartons for granular, flaked, crystalline and powdered
products have been in demand by consumers for many years. Typically;
manufacturers have responded by designing their cartons so that the
consumer can tear open a flap or flaps through which the contained
product can be dispensed, as shown, for example, in U.S. Patent
3,270,942 which issued to Cope et al. on September 6, 1966; U.S. Patent
3,894,680, issued to Araki on July 15, 1975; and U.S. Patent 1,739,529,
issued to Skinner on December 17, 1929. Such cartons when made
siftproof are sometimes difficult to open and, once opened, effective
reclosure in most cases is difficult, if not impossible.
Another technique has been to provide a metal spout which in use
is a hinged, three-sided structure mounted on a carton sidewall. These
are difficult to seal initially for shipment, are generally not well
adapted to dispensing of large usage amounts for products such as
laundry detergent granules or the like and are expensive to manufacture
and apply to cartons.
Others have responded by applying fitments to their containers,
usually immediately prior or subsequent to the filling operation. For
example, in U.S. Patent 3,018,024 which issued to Foord on January 23,
1962, the patentee provided a folded, one-piece, thermoformed container
30 closure of the plug-within-a-plug type, snapped into a cutout in the
top closure of a carton adjacent to the closure edge.
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In U.S. Patent 4,516,689, which issued to Barker on June 22, 1984,
Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an attachable closure/pouring lip device
which is adapted to be snapped into a dispensing aperture in the top
closure of a liquid container and wherein a plug-equipped closure flap
is attached to a base flap and articulated therefrom by means of an
over-center hinge. In another preferred embodiment an easy-open/
reclosing element is hingedly attached to the lid's outer surface and
employs an over-center hinge for holding the closure element in a
locked open condition while the container's contents are dispensed. A
depending plug is used to seal the precut dispensing aperture in the
top lid.
U.S. Patent 4,579,246, which issued to Swearington et al. on April
1, 1986, shows a closure providing a substantially airtight and
reusable seal for the entire area of the container opening using a
rigid anchor member, a cover interconnectable with the opening in the
anchor member and means to provide the airtight seal of the opening in
the anchor member.
U.S. Patent 3,250,436, which issued to Kurtz on May 10, 1966,
relates to a pouring spout assembly for a dispensing container for
powders, granules and crystals and illustrates the device mounted on a
rectangular carton. The specification broadly states that the device
can be mounted on cartons of other shape, on the top as well as the
side and may be inserted at any stage of carton forming or filling, but
provides no further teaching along such lines.
Despite all the prior work done in this field, there remain
problems in providing an effective and economical dispensing closure
for seal end cartons which are adapted to be fed into high speed
production equipment. Prior art dispensing closures are not well
adapted for placement on a seal end carton, particularly when the same
is in flattened tubular form and, moreover, would not be highly
machineable if they were so mounted on such cartons.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to obviate the above
problems.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a
dispensing package which is economical, highly machineable, easily
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opened, effectively reclosed, has the dispensing aperture conveniently
located and is minimal in caliper in flattened tubular form.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a seal
end dispensing package which in flattened tubular form has a dispensing
s fitment applied thereto to provide easy opening and reclosure of the
carton, is stackable, of minimal caliper and highly machineable.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a seal-end carton which has an outer major flap having a
fitment mounted on it. A portion of the fitment projects beyond the
inner surface of the outer major flap. An inner major flap of the
carton has a cutout in it which is sized and located to receive the
projecting portion of the fitment when the carton is in flattened
tubular form.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there
is provided a reclosable dispensing package which in flattened tubular
form comprises a carton hav;ng two pairs of alternating face and side
panels marginally connected along integral score lines. A top closure
flap extends from the upper edge of each of the face panels and each
such flap has a cutout area therein adjacent a side edge of the flap.
2~ The cutout areas are adapted to register with one another to form an
opening through the top closure of the carton when the carton is
squared and the flaps are secured in overlapped condition with one flap
outermost and the other flap underneath. A fitment constructed of thin
sheet plastic material has a base which is generally planar in
25 configuration with a dispensing aperture extending therethrough. The
planar base is affixed to the outer surface of said one flap with the
dispensing aperture of the base in registry with the cutout area of the
flap. An overlying cover of the fitment has a depending plug formed
therein which is sized to enter and seal the dispensing aperture and
30 has a depth greater than the thickness of the assembly of said one flap
and base. The cover and base of the fitment are provided with a line
- of articulation therebetween to permit the cover to be selectively
swung arcuately outwardly relative to the base to a dispensing position
and inwardly to a closed position wherein the plug is telescoped within
35 the dispensing aperture with the distal end of the plug projecting
beyond the inner surface of said one flap. The other flap has a second
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cutout area therethrough which is sized and located to receive the
projecting end of the plug therewithin.
BRTEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject invention, it is
believed that the same will be better understood from the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
dispensing package of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the carton blank for the carton of
Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the carton blank of Figure
2 following folding and gluing to produce a flattened tubular carton
and provided with adhesive surrounding the cutout in the outermost top
closure flap;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the flattened tubular
carton of figure 3 with the fitment of Figure l applied and showing by
phantom lines an alternative means to increase carton sleeve thickness;
20Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along
line 5-5 of Figure 3 and illustrating an alternative glue flap
arrangement;
Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along
line 6-6 of Figure 4, showiny adjacent walls of a flattened cartonboard
sleeve being held in spaced relationship, in an alternative embodiment,
by opposed embossments;
Figure 7 is a plan view of the fitment of Figure 1;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the fitment of Figure 7 with the
cover thereof swung to a vertical position; and
30Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along
line 9-9 of Figure 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS
Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals
indicate the same element throughout the views, there is shown in
: 35 Figure l a dispensing package lO comprising an erected and filled seal
end carton 12 having a dispensing fitment 44 affixed thereto. The
contents of the package lO can be any pourable granular, crystalline or
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powdered material which must be dispensed from time to time by the
consumer and desirably maintained in a closed environment between uses.
A granular detergent composition is a prime example of such materials.
The dispensing fitment 44 is sealed for effective product containment
and, although not airtight, the seal is siftproof.
As shown in Figure 2, the carton 12 is made from a carton blank
12a, which is printed, cut and scored to result in a carton of the
correct size and configuration. The body of the blank 12a:comprises
integrally connected, alternating, rectangular face and side panels 14,
16, 18 and 20, respectively, and glue flap 22. A score line 24
separates glue flap 22 from face panel 14 and score line 26 separates
side panel 16 from face panel 18. Scores 24, 26 can typically be made
with a 3 point rule, which has a thickness of about 1.07 mm (0.042"),
when the cartonboard has a 27 point caliper, which is approximately .69
mm (.027") thick. While standards will vary to some extent, it is
common in the carton manufacturing industry for scorelines for
cartonboard having a thickness of .51 mm (.020") or less to be made
with 2 point rules, for thicknesses in the range of .56 mm (.022"j to
.71 mm (.028") with 3 point rules and thicknesses greater than that
with 4 point rules, 1.42 mm (.056"). These guidelines produce
scorelines which facilitate the accurate folding necessary to produce
cartons closely adhering to precise size requirements, without undue
damage to the cartonboard.
Score line 28 intermediate face panel 14 and side panel 16 and
score line 30 between face panel 18 and side panel 20 are each shown as
having a central region of greater width than that of the ends. For
example, ends 28a and 30a can be made using a 3 point rule and central
regions 28b and 30b can be made with a 6 point rule (having a thickness
of approximately 2.12 mm (.083"). The purpose of the thickness
variation in scores 28 and 30 will be explained hereinafter. In order
to form a sleeve of rectangular cross section, face panels 14 and 18
are similarly sized, as are side panels 16 and 20.
The lower extremities of the face and side panels 14, 16, 18 and
20 have lower closure flaps 14a, 16a, 18a and 20a integrally extending
therefrom, the panels and flaps being separated by a longitudinal score
line 32. The upper extremities of face and side panels 14, 16, 18 and
20 have top closure flaps 14b, 16b, 18b and 20b integrally extending
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therefrom, the panels and flaps being separated by longitudinal score
line 34. The lower closure flaps 14a, 16a, 18a and 20a can be of any
suitable design for providing a sift-proof closure at the bottom of the
resulting carton 12 in use. As shown, the flaps 14a, 16a, 18a and 20a
are of standard commercial design and are adapted to be inwardly folded
and adhesively sealed in overlapping relation on such carton.
Top closure flaps 14b, 16b, 18b and 20b are also adapted to be
inwardly folded and adhesively sealed in overlapping rela~ion. For
best results, inner major flap 14b and outer major flap 18b should have
a width (between score line 34 and the distal edges of the respective
flaps) which is substantially equal to the width of the side panels 16
and 20 (i.e. the dimension between scores 26 and 28 and between score
and the adjacent cut edge 36 of the blank 12a) and lengths
substantially equal to the widths of face panels 14 and 18,
respectively. Thus, the major flaps 14b and 18b are sized to cover the
entire end of the carton 12 when closure is effected following
execution, squaring and filling. Side flaps 16b and 20b can have a
width which preferably does not exceed that of the major flaps 14b,
18b, in order to avoid inefficient use of carton board. As shown, the
width of side flap 20b is about seven eights that of major flaps 14b,
18b, while the width of side flap 16b is about half. These dimensions
are not critical and can be varied, as desired, within practical
ranges. .
Outer major flap 18b has a primary cutout 38 therein adjacent its
side edge 18c and generally centrally located, widthwise. The cutout
illustrated is pentagonal and similar in shape to "home plate" in
baseball. For cartons 12 of rectangular cross section measuring
approximately 5.97 cm (2.35") by 20.8 cm (8.19"), the cutout 38 can
conveniently have a width on side 38a of approximately 4.05 cm (1.59"~
and the other four sides can be generally equal in dimension, measuring
about 2.54 cm (1.0") each, so that the length of the cutout 38 (i.e.
the distance from side 38a to point 38b) is about 4.67 cm (1.84"). All
of the corners of cutout 38 are desirably rounded so that the scrap
material therewithin can be easily removed during manufacture. Point
38b should be adjacent side edge 18c, the spacing therebetween being in
the range of from about 3 mm (.12") to about 16 mm (.62") to provide
adequate ultimate carton corner strength along with properly locating
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the dispensing fitment 44 to provide dispensing convenience, accuracyand completeness.
Inner major flap 14b has a primary cutout 40 therein which is
generally congruent to cutout 38. Side flap 16b adjacent side edge 18c
of outer major flap 18b, has a notch 42 formed in its distal edge which
is generally congruent to the periphery of the cutout 38 at the end
thereof including Point 38b. Cutout 40 and notch 42 are so located and
arranged that if the carton 12 is squared and the top clo~ure flaps
14b, 16b, 18b and 20b were folded inwardly in overlapping relation,
cutouts 38 and 40 and notch 42 would register with one another to form
an opening through the top closure of the carton 12.
Inner major flap 14b has a second cutout 41 therein which is also
generally congruent to cutout 38. The cutouts 40, 41 are aligned
widthwise on flap 14b but offset lengthwise by an amount equal to the
width of each of the side panels 16 and 20.
The carton blank 12a is formed into a carton 12 sleeve in
flattened tubular form by applying adhesive 22a to the upper face of
glue flap 22, folding glue flap 22 and face panel 14 as a unit
downwardly 180 along score line 28, and folding side panel 20
20 downwardly 180 along score line 30 to contact and overlap glue flap
22, thereby becoming adhesively united therewith. Due to the
relationships mentioned above, when the carton sleeve is thus formed
cutout 41 will directly underlie cutout 3~, as shown in Figure 3, in
fully aligned relationship therewith.
In the usual case with standard seal end cartons, the cartons are
processed by the carton manufacturer to adjust the caliper of the outer
scores of the folded carton to generally match the caliper of the
folded carton at the glue seam. (At the glue seam there are normally
three thicknesses of cartonboard, while at the outer scores there are
only two.) The calipers of the outer scores are adjustable to a
limited extent by the wheels or belts on the manufacturer's carton side
seam gluer and can, for example, be sloppy, having the outer scores
; "fat", or the scores can be rolled down so they are considerablythinner than the glue seam area. Preferably, to avoid carton feed
problems, the calipers of the outer scores of standard prior art
cartons should be controlled so that they do not exceed the caliper of
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the glue seam and are not more than .13 mm (.005") to .25 mm (.010")
less than the glue seam.
In the case of the present invention, it has been determined that
normal side seam adjustment will not suffice in providing a dispensing
package 10 which has caliper relationships which will facilitate the
carton feed process on packaging equipment. The maximum caliper of the
carton top closure flaps of the dispensing package 10 described herein,
with the fitment 44 in place, is about 2.54 mm (.100"), which is
considerably thicker than the caliper in the glue seam area or that
which can be obtained along outside score line areas, if standard
practices are followed. The caliper of the flattened tubular package
10 therefore has to be adjusted in some other manner to provide the
caliper balance required. This should be effected at points spaced
from the fitment, and these points, when taken along with the fitment
location, must provide a plurality of areas of mutual contact on
adjacent flattened package 10 sleeves which serve to maintain a
parallel carton relationsh;p in the hopper. The manner in which the
caliper or thickness of flattened carton 12 can be increased at such
areas can be varied, but necessarily must be integrally associated with
and physically be a part of the carton 12 for economy and practicality.
The use of wide central regions 28b and 30b in score lines 28 and 30,
for example, represents one way in which an integral means can be
provided for increased caliper. Because of the dimensions of score
lines 28 and 30 described preYiously, the thickness of the carton 12
25 sleeve, which is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, is greater adjacent
regions 28b and 30b, respectively, than would have been the case had
the score lines 28 and 30 been of uniform 1.07 mm (.042") width. For
- example, if the carton board has a thickness of 0.69 mm (.027") a
sleeve folded along a score having a uniform 1.07 mm (.042 ") width
30 will have a thickness (when folded) adjacent the fold of about 2.06 mm
(.081") whereas it will have a substantially greater thickness which
- can then be adjusted to provide a thickness of about 2.56 mm (.101")
. adjacent the central region of a fold along score lines constructed in
the manner of score lines 28 and 30. This result can be described as
35 "fluffing" of a score line to controllably enhance sleeve thickness
therealong. The narrower ends 28a and 30a of scores 28 and 30 function
to precisely locate the fold line and should be long enough to assure
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folding the blank 12a at the correct locations. For example, in a
carton 12 made of 0.69 mm (.027") thick board and having a height of
approximately 27.9 cm (11"), the ends 28a and 30a can each have a
length of about 3.81 cm (1-1/2") to facilitate accurate folding.
Thus, the carton 12 sleeve is folded and the outer scores are
manipulated to provide a thickness at each side which is approximately
the same as the maximum thickness of the top closure flaps following
application thereto of the dispensing fitment 44, as shown in Figure 4,
preferably, plus or minus about .25 mm (.010"). When the thickness of
the carton 12 sleeve is thus adjusted, the sleeves are capable of being
stacked in parallel relationship and fed from hoppers of high speed
filling equipment much more efficiently than could otherwise be
accomplished.
Fluffing of the score lines is not the only means which can be
integrally associated with the carton 12 to increase the thickness of
the carton 12 sleeve in areas spaced from the fitment 49 when the
package is in flattened tubular form. For example, the glue flap 22
could be made wider and folded over on itself as shown in Figure 5,
wherein an extension 22b of glue flap 22 serves to move panels 20 and
18 apart and thus produce a region of greater thickness by introducing
another layer of cartonboard. Another alternative means is illustrated
in Figure 6 wherein oppositely disposed embossments 43 provide for
greater separation of the surrounding areas of panels 16 and 14. Each
embossment should serve to offset the inner surface of the cartonboard
25 inwardly in the affected area about one-half of the amount by which the
basic carton sleeve thickness is to be increased. Such opposed
embossments cin take many forms; for example, the embossments could be
in the form of opposed continuous ribs, a pair or series of pairs of
disc-shaped impressions or, as shown, a pair or a series of pairs of
30 localized spherical depressions, in the areas wherein thickness
enhancement is desired. It should also be understood that one or more
of such alternatives can be used concurrently on the same carton.
The dispensing fitment 44, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, is
thermoformed and cut from thin sheet thermoplastic material having a
35 thickness in the range of from about 0.25 mm (.010") to about 1.02 mm
(.040"), preferably .51 mm (.020") for the described embodiment. The
material used can be any thermoplastic having suitable properties for
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the intended use, such as rigidity, shrinkage, hinge fatigueresistance, chemical resistance and the like. For most applications
PET G (which can be described as glycol modified polyethylene
terephthalate and is available from Plastics ~ivision of Eastman
5 Chemical Products Inc., Kingsport, Tenn.) will prove highly
satisfactory and is preferred for use in dispensing fitment 44.
Dispensing fitment 44 comprises a base 46 and a cov r 48, the
adjacent sides of which are integrally connected along hingeline 50.
Cuts 51, 52 separate the base 46 from the cover 48 at each end of
10hingeline 50 and define ears 53, 54, which are adapted to hold the
cover 48 in locked-open condition during dispensing, as will be noted
hereinafter. The hingeline S0 is diestruck from the bottom of the
fitment 44 to assure that the line of articulation between base 46 and
cover 48 is accurately located.
15The base 46 is generally planar and has a dispensing aperture 56
extending therethrough. The aperture 56 can be any configuration
desired but preferably closely matches that of the cutouts 38, 40 and
41 in the top major flaps 18b, 14b but is of slightly smaller size.
for example, where the cutout 38 width is approximately 4.04 cm ~1.59")
the width of the aperture 56 is approximately 3.81 cm (1.50"). The
same size differential can be used about the periphery of the aperture
6 so that when it is centered over cutout 38 the edges of the aperture
56 are spaced uniformly inwardly of those of the cutout by about 1.1 mm
(0.045"). The distal corners 58, 59 of the base 46 are notched
inwardly for a purpose to be described later.
The cover 48 has a plug 60 thermoformed therein to project
upwardly as viewed in Figure 7. The plug 60 can have a depth of about
2.03 mm (.080"), as measured from the surface of cover 48 from which it
protrudes, the upper surface as shown in Figure 7, and has a
multipiicity of spaced protrusions 62 therearound which can be produced
during the thermoforming operation. The plug 60 periphery is
substantially identical in size and shape to that of dispensing
aperture 56 of base 46 and, preferably, generally conforms to that of
cutout 41. The plug 60 is adapted to telescope into aperture 56 with a
snug fit. The protrusions 62 are sized and located so that they snap
over the edge 56a which circumscribes and, thus, defines aperture 56,
when the plug 60 is pressed into aperture 56, thereby removably
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securing the plug 60 therewithin. The depth of the plug 60 is
desirably minimized in order to reduce the overall thickness of the
fitment 44. However, generally speaking, the space needed for assuring
a snap connection requires that such depth exceed the thickness of the
cartonboard of the carton 12. This is the reason for the problem
solved by the present invention.
The distal corners of cover 48 have outwardly projecting tabs 64,
65 formed thereon which are adapted to facilitate opening tfie fitment
44 in use. They can also prove helpful in securing the cover 4~ in
closed condition for shipment, as will be understood from subsequent
description.
After forming and cutting the fitment 44, the cover 48 is rotated
180, as partially shown in Figure 8, about the hingeline 50 and the
plug 60 telescoped within aperture 56. The protrusions 62 serve to
maintain the fitment 44 in the closed condition shown in Figures 1 and
4. It will be noted that in closed condition the tabs 64, 65 project
over the notches formed at corners 58, 59 of base 46.
As shown in Figure 3, a layer of adhesive 66 is placed on the
outer surface of outer major flap 18b in a pattern which generally
conforms to the lower surface of base 46 when the aperture 56 is
centered over cutout 38, except that it would extend outwardly of
corners 58, S9 into the notches alongside. Thus, when the fitment 44
is placed thereon in closed condition, the lower surfaces of tabs 64,
65 are directly exposed to the adhesive and both base 46 and tabs 64,
- 25 65 of cover 48 can be simultaneously adhered to flap 18b. The adhesive
can be any suitable type which provides firm adhesion bet~een the
fitment 44 and major flap 18b and has cold temperature shock or impact
resistance and high temperature drop resistance, such as certain hot
melt glues, or resin-based adhesives. The resulting layer of adhesive.
30 has a thickness of approximately .13 to about .18 mm (.005" to .007").
; The resulting assembly is illustrated in Figure 4 and is the
condition of the dispensing package in flattened tubular form when it
is placed in hoppers of the filling machine which is to form and fill
the package. As will be noted in Figure 9, the plug 60 of fitment 44
35 extends beyond the inner surface of outer major flap 18b by
approximately .69 mm (.027"), the thickness of inner major flap 14b.
Thus, in the flattened tubular form of carton 12, the portion of the
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fitment 44 which extends below major flap 18b, i.e. the distal end of
plug 60, is received wholly within the confines of the cutout 41, with
its lower face in the plane of the outer surface of inner major flap
14b. As such, the total thickness of the closure flaps in the fitment
area is about 2.54 mm (.100"), which is the overall thickness of the
fitment 44 and, consequently, the minimum thickness of the carton 12 in
flattened tubular form for any particular fitment 44. At that point,
it will also be noted that the plug 60 has been made as deep as
possible without affecting the thickness of the closure flaps in the
fitment area.
The gluing or other securement of the fitment to the outer major
flap 18b can be accomplished while the carton blank 12a is in flat
condition or, preferably, following its formation into a carton 12
sleeve in flattened tubular form. In the latter case, it has been
found that the provision of the cutout 41, in accordance with the
present invention, not only reduces the caliper of the sleeve in the
top closure flap area, but also enhances the strength of the seal of
the fitment 44 to the carton 12. This is particularly significant when
the projection of the plug 60 beyond the inner surface of outer major
flap 18b does not exceed the approximate thickness of inner major flap
14b, because in that case the edges of cutout 41 provide a support
surface (backup) against which the parts being joined can be pressed to
effect the union. The resulting stronger seal improves the overall
strength and siftproofness of the dispensing package 10.
Because of the thinness of the fitment 44, and the provision of
the cutout 41, the carton 12 of the present invention can be shipped in
more compact form and greater numbers of cartons can be placed in
machine hoppers than would otherwise be expected. This, along with the
integral means provided on carton 12 to increase the thickness of the
30 carton in areas spaced from fitment 44, e.g. along scores 28 and 30 at
each side of the flattened tube, whereby the cartons stand generally
vertically in parallel relation in the hopper, also facilitates
economical, trouble free feeding and forming.
; Once having been opened and squared, the carton 12 lower closure
is made in the usual manner and the package 10 interior is filled with
the desired product, e.g. detergent granules. The top closure is then
effected by folding side flaps 16b, 20b inwardly 90, applying glue to
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both surfaces of inner major flap 14b and folding it inwardly 90, and
folding outer major flap 18b inwardly to adhere it to the underlying
inner major flap 14b. Any standard cartonboard adhesive can be used
which will not form a strong bond with the lower surface oF plug 60 of
fitment 44.
To use the dispensing package 12, the consumer grasps and lifts
tabs 64, 65 to tear them loose from outer major flap 18b. The cover 48
is swung arcuately upwardly around hingeline 50 about 120. Ears 53,
54, which in closed condition projected outwardly beyond the hingeline
50 will bend on the top surface of major flap 18b as the cover is
brought to a 90 position and later snaps back to a position at which
they lie inwardly of hingeline 50. In such position ears 53, 54 resist
closure of the cover 48 and hold the cover 48 in locked-open condition
until the user deliberately chooses to move it to closed condition.
While the cover is in locked-open condition, the package 10 can be
tilted sideways about an axis normal to face panels 14, 18 to pour the
contents through the dispensing aperture 56. The tapered, pointed end
of the aperture 56 assists in properly directing the product stream.
When dispensing is completed, the user rotates the cover 48 toward the
closed position, snapping the ears 53, 54 outwardly, and presses the
plug 60 into aperture 56 of base 46. When this is done firmly,
protrusions 62 snap over the edge 56a to maintain the cover in a
closed, siftproof condition.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
described and .illustrated, it will be obvious to those skilled in the
art that various changes and modifications can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The terms used in describing the invention are used in their
descriptive sense and not as terms of limitation. Accordingly, the
following claims are intended to embrace such equivalent changes,
modifications and applications which are within the scope of this
; ~ invention.
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